INTRODUCTION

1. In the 1970s, a study by Stanford University considered the differences between those who would delay gratification and those who would not.

   1. In the study's experiments, children were each given one treat (marshmallow, cookie, etc.).  Each child was told that if he would not eat the treat for a period of time (about fifteen minutes), then he could have two treats.  The researcher would then leave the room for a short time and return to see which children had delayed gratification in order to receive the greater reward.

   2. It was found that the children who successfully delayed gratification in the experiments tended to have better outcomes in their lives. They attained higher education, had better SAT scores, enjoyed better health, and earned more money.

   3. This research concluded that the ability to delay or defer gratification is a major indicator of success in life.

2. The Stanford research measured the temporal effects of delaying gratification, but Scripture teaches us that the willingness to delay gratification is an essential factor in spiritual success as well.  This is the subject of our present lesson.

    

THE WORLD OFFERS GRATIFICATION NOW

1. One of the strongest appeals to the flesh is the promise of immediate gratification.

   1. The power of this appeal is evident in our world.

      1. We will eat fast food of inferior quality because we don't want to wait for better food.

      2. "Buy now, pay later," has become the anthem of our economy as debt has become a way of life for those who do not want to wait and save their money for their purchases. The fact that buying on credit costs much more does not deter them.

      3. The immediate indulgence of sexual desires leads many to commit fornication rather than waiting for their godly satisfaction through marriage.

   2. The fleshly appeal of immediate gratification works against the appeal of faith.

      1. According to Hebrews 11:1, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  However, the promise of immediate gratification offers no hope for the future and nothing that cannot be seen, but instead it offers instant pleasure by that which can be possessed right now.

      2. The world's motto is, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die" (Isa. 22:13; 1Cor. 15:32). Death is the end of opportunity for the flesh, so the world advises us to indulge the flesh now while we still can.

      3. The contrary appeals of the immediate gratification of the world versus the delayed gratification of faith are at war with one another.  These are fighting for our souls, and the central issue is whether we will believe in God's promises for better blessings for those who wait for Him.

2. The price of immediate gratification is high.

   1. This higher cost of immediate gratification can be observed in temporal measures.

      1. Eating fast food every day will eventually lead to serious health problems.

      2. Continuously buying on credit will eventually accumulate oppressive debt and lead to bankruptcy.  The desire to have everything now can cause one to lose all in the future.

      3. The plague of fornication in our nation has caused many lives to be ruined due to destroyed relationships, communicable diseases, unwanted pregnancies, abortion, and unloved children.

      4. These temporal costs of immediate gratification demonstrate the general principle that applies to all parts of life, both temporal and spiritual.

   2. The ultimate high cost will be in spiritual capital on the Judgment Day.

      1. Those who indulge the flesh now by sin will pay the wages of sin at death (Rom. 6:23).  They may receive good things in this life, but at death they will be in agony (Luke 16:25).

      2. The inescapable principle of sowing and reaping will have its ultimate result at the Judgment. Consider Galatians 6:7-8:

         ⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  ⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

      3. No temporary pleasure received in this life will be worth the loss of the soul for eternity.  Just as Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

          

GOD PROMISES GREATER GRATIFICATION LATER

1. The ultimate, eternal blessings of God will be awarded to His faithful ones when this life is over.

   1. All blessings, both temporal and eternal, come from God (Jas. 1:17).  He reserves the best of these blessings for eternity, and these will not be fully realized until after this world has perished.

   2. Consider a description of these blessings and notice how they are delayed in 1Peter 1:3-9:

      ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

2. Because these eternal blessings will not be fully realized until later, we must patiently wait for them now.  This waiting is an exercise of our faith.

   1. In Hebrews 11:6, the Scripture says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."  We must believe in this reward even though we cannot receive it until later.

   2. Scripture advises us again and again to wait for God and His rewards.  Consider a few passages:

      1. Psalm 27:14 -- Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.

      2. Psalm 37:7 -- Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

      3. Isaiah 40:31 -- Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

      4. Romans 8:24-25 -- ²⁴For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

3. Many who came before us have faithfully delayed gratification and are witnesses to the goodness of this choice.

   1. Jesus delayed gratification when Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship (Matt. 4:8-10).  The Lord refused Satan, waited for His Father, suffered the crucifixion, and was exalted above all as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Phil. 2:9-11; 1Tim. 6:15).

   2. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob delayed gratification by looking for a heavenly country rather than turning back to that country from which they went out (Heb. 11:15-16).

   3. Moses delayed gratification by giving up the "passing pleasures of sin" in exchange for ill-treatment with the people of God and the hope of a better reward from God (Heb. 11:24-26).

       

CONCLUSION

1. This "cloud of witnesses" "gained approval through their faith" but "did not receive what was promised" apart from us (Heb. 11:39-12:1).  Their lives are a testimony to the goodness and wisdom of faithfully delaying gratification.  Ultimately, they will receive the full reward of their faith at the Judgment.

2. What remains to be seen is whether we will be willing to delay our own gratification in hope of the rewards of God through faith in Christ.  Will we grasp the world's offer of gratification now, or will we patiently wait on the Lord's greater blessings later?